Umar Ahsan elected President OICCI

Business Recorder reported that Umar Ahsan Khan, chief executive and managing director of Dawlance, has won the presidency of OICCI, the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The outcome was declared at an extraordinary general meeting held on Tuesday. He takes over from Yousaf Hussain, who led the chamber through 2024-26.

Ahmed Zahid Zaheer, country chairman and general manager of Chevron Lubricants Pakistan, was voted in as senior vice president, while Dr. Syed Amir Ali, head of Meezan Bank, became vice president. Hussain, who is stepping down, acknowledged better economic stability, though he argued it was insufficient by itself. In his view, the gains must now be converted into expansion driven by investment, exports, productivity and employment creation.

Khan said the chamber will keep its lobbying anchored in evidence and noted that foreign direct investment declined 34 per cent last financial year to USD 1.65 billion. He argued that stabilisation alone does not draw capital in, because the wider investment climate has the final say on whether funds are committed. Over the next term, the committee intends to step up dialogue with the government, regulators and international bodies, and to keep its research grounded in data.